Apparatus for continuous produce surface treatment

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for removing material from the surface of fruits and vegetables (produce) and separating the removed material from the resultant mixture utilizes the rotation of an upwardly directed cage formed of elongated rotating spindles having a material removing surface thereon, the cage rotary speed being sufficient, at the interior radius thereof, to maintain the produce in continuous centrifugal force contact against the spindle material removing surface, but generally insufficient to prevent downward movement or migration of the produce within the cage under the force of gravity. Produce to be treated is urged into engagement with the spindles and the rotating cage causes the produce to accelerate substantially to said rotary speed, whereby the produce travels with the cage in contact with the rotating material removing spindle surfaces. The produce moves downwardly through the cage under the force of gravity, but is restrained from moving downwardly as fast as conditions would otherwise dictate by resisting surface contact against the lower portions of the produce, thereby increasing cage residence time. The resisting surface is displaced downwardly during cage rotation so as to control the descent of the produce downwardly through the cage during treatment. The removed material is continuously separated from the produce by centrifugal force which may be aided by air suction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has long been recognized that the cleaning and/or peeling of fruitsand vegetables (produce) at a high rate with minimal waste and handlingdamage is important in the food processing industries. Attempts toaccomplish this have presented difficult problems due to many factors,including the highly irregular surfaces of certain produce, such aspotatoes, the substantial variation in optimum abrasive surfacepressure, the susceptibility of some produce to handling damage,differences in epidermis characteristics of different produce types anddifferent species of the same type, the ever increasing difficulties indisposing of waste wash water and treating chemicals and the recentsubstantial increase in the cost of energy for producing steam, hotwater or radiant heat for certain related operations.

High capacity produce peeling and cleaning devices have been utilizedfor many years, as exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,134,413; 3,566,942and 3,946,658. Such devices relied upon gravitational tumbling ofproduce groups in a generally horizontally oriented, rotating, peelingcage constructed of rotating abrasive spindles, with a revolving augertherein for moving the tumbling groups therealong. A new concept waspresented in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,062,985 and 4,068,574 wherein the peelingcage accelerated the produce to a rotary speed sufficient formaintaining the produce in continuous centrifugal force contact againstthe spindle abrading surfaces. This greatly improved the potentialcleaning and/or peeling efficiency by presenting a many fold increase infunctioning abrasive surface area within the cage, while also permittinghighly accurate control of produce pressure thereagainst by merelyvarying the cage speed. Further, the new arrangement reduced thelikelihood of produce damage by substantially decreasing tumbling.

Although the improved method and apparatus disclosed in said U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,062,985 and 4,068,574 constituted a marked improvement over priorart devices, some difficulty was experienced in accurately controllingthe residence time of the produce within the treating cage. It was alsorecognized that certain variations in the abrasive surface of the cagespindles were desirable for optimum utilization of the new producetreating arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a produce surface treating apparatus andmethod which incorporates the new concept presented in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,062,985 and 4,068,574, while further permitting optimum utlizationthereof, by providing highly accurate control over cage residence time.This is accomplished, in certain embodiments, by the novel incorporationof auger or spiral fall inhibiting arrangements with the upwardlydirected, high speed cage, whereby the auger or spiral is not usedprimarily to drive gravitationally tumbling groups of fruits orvegetables axially through the cage but, rather, functions to resist thegravitationaly induced downward travel of the produce therethrough. Bycareful maintenance of relative rotational speeds between the cage andauger, produce residence time within the cage is controlled in absenceof appreciable interference with optimum produce treatment and withminimal produce tumbling. The invention herein further comtemplatesseveral novel variations in the cage spindle abrading surface, so as toprovide efficient and appropriate treatment for a great variety offruits and vegetables, with minimal or no need to combine with steam,wash water, chemical or other auxiliary processing operations. Also,certain forms of the invention involve special configurations of spindlesurface to aid in properly orienting and relatively moving irregularlyshaped produce for even, predicatable treatment with minimum waste.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide animproved high capacity produce cleaning and/or peeling apparatus andmethod; to provide such an apparatus and method which permits accurateresidence time control in a gravity travel, centrifugal type, spindletreating cage; to provide such a cleaning and/or peeling apparatus andmethod which allows optimum utilization of surface treating area andpressure; to provide such an apparatus and method wherein produce havingirregular shapes, and particularly various elongated shapes, areproperly oriented with respect to abrading spindles for efficienttreatment with minimum waste; to provide such an apparatus and methodwhich more fully utilizes a continuous flow, centrifugal force treatingcage for high production rates; and to provide such a treating systemand method which is positive in function, economical in operation andextremely well adapted for its intended purpose.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration andexample certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments of this invention for illustrating various objectsand features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary peeling apparatus embodyingthis invention, showing representative conveyors feeding produce intothe top thereof and receiving peelings and peeled produce at lowerpositions thereof.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the apparatus of FIG.1 showing the internal arrangement including cylindrical brush spindlesand a plain flight, central auger.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal plan view showing the top of the FIG. 1apparatus, with produce being fed thereinto.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 4--4, FIG.2, showing a portion of the feeding funnel.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 5--5, FIG.2 particularly showing the relationship between the residence timecontrol auger, or central member, and cage spindles.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 6--6, FIG.2, showing spindle driving members with broken portions revealingadjacent structure.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the line 7--7, FIG.2 particularly showing prime driving elements and associated supportingframe.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the auger axle at theupper portion of the apparatus, showing liquid introductioncapabilities.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the coaxialdrive arrangement by which the cage, spindles and auger may beindependently controlled in rotational speed.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, partially cross-sectional view of a FIG. 2cage spindle, on an enlarged scale, showing the produce abrading ortreating surface in the form of straight or cylindrical bristle brushes.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing, on an enlargedscale, a portion of the spindle driving arrangement of FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional plan view schematicallyillustrating an adjacent pair of corotating cage spindle brushesengaging a potato supported against gravitationally induced downwardmotion by contact with a control auger flight.

FIG. 13 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through a modified form oftreating cage, wherein the produce is supported against uncontrolled,gravitationally induced, downward motion by engagement in helical orscrew depressions in mating, spiral shaped spindles, and furtherillustrating a modified form of central cage member as a straight orcylindrical brush.

FIG. 14a is a fragmentary side elevation depicting the modifiedstructures of FIG. 13.

FIG. 14b is a fragmentary side elevation, on an enlarged scale, showinga portion of the mating spindles of FIG. 14a.

FIG. 14c is a fragmentary side elevation showing a further modified formof treating cage wherein the abrasive brushes are spaced apart and havescrew slots therein receiving the flights of an intermediate cagespindle screw.

FIG. 14d is a horizontal cross-sectional view depicting the structure ofFIG. 14c.

FIG. 15 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through a still furthermodified form of treating cage wherein the central member is an augerwith brush flights.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary side elevation depicting the structure of FIG.15.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a yet further modifiedform of treating cage wherein the central member is a "drooping" brushauger.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary side elevation depicting the structure of FIG.17.

FIG. 19a is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating an additionalmodified cage spindle arrangement which utilizes co-rotating spiral orscrew cage spindles with opposite hand flights, inducing rotation orunpending or produce within the cage about a horizontal axis.

FIGS. 19b and 19c are fragmentary side elevations similar to FIG. 19aand showing an elongated potato sequentially rotating from a positionresting generally horizontally on the auger flight (FIG. 19b) to avertical orientation (FIG. 19c) where it fits in the pocket betweenadjacent spindles.

FIGS. 19d and 19e are sequential fragmentary side elevations similar toFIGS. 19b and 19c but utilizing a cylindrical brush spindle adjacent aspiral spindle for rotating horizontally oriented produce to a verticalspindle pocket engaging position.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view through a cageillustrating further the arrangement of FIG. 19a.

FIG. 21a is a fragmentary side elevation showing a modification of thestructure in FIGS. 19a and 20, utilizing spiral or screw spindles of thesame hand but with adjacent spindles rotating in opposite directions.Retaining bars are added to prevent excess pulling into graspingpockets.

FIG. 21b is a fragmentary side elevation showing a modified spindle cagearrangement utilizing the cylindrical treating cage spindles of FIGS. 2and 5 in combination with the retaining bars of FIG. 21a.

FIG. 21c is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view furthershowing the arrangement of FIG. 21b.

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view through a cage,further illustrating the structure of FIG. 21a.

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary cross-sectional detail illustrating the brushflight of the central member of FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIG. 24a is a fragmentary side elevation showing a modified form ofplain flight auger which utilizes intermediate flight drops to encourageproduce mixing.

FIG. 24b is a view similar to FIG. 24a but showing a further modifiedform of plain flight auger which is composed of vertical and horizontalstep portions forming the spiral.

FIGS. 25 through 31 are fragmentary cross-sectional views of individualcage spindles, illustrating various bristle configurations.

FIGS. 32, 33 and 34 are fragmentary views, on a greatly enlarged scale,illustrating selected variations in specific bristle form.

FIG. 35 is a fragmentary, somewhat schematic cross-sectional viewshowing footed cage spindle bristles engaging produce epidermis andremoving foreign particles and surface skin pieces therefrom.

FIG. 36 is a side elevation of the treating apparatus showing an airevacuation duct communicating into the cage containing housing forremoving light debris created during produce treatment.

FIG. 37 is a side elevation similar to FIG. 36 but showing the airevacuation system divided into upper and lower sections to aid inclassifying debris removable by air evacuation.

FIG. 38 is a fragmentary view of a fast cutting cage spindle having anabrading surface formed of interlooped, relatively hard ribbon sleevedover a soft, resilient cylindrical core.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure.

The reference numeral 1, FIG. 1, generally designates apparatus forcleaning and/or peeling vegetables and fruit, herein called "produce",such as potatoes, apples, carrots, beets, onions, etc. continuously athigh production rates.

The apparatus 1 includes a support frame 2 elevating a housing 3 havingtherein a treating chamber 4, FIG. 2. The chamber 4 contains an upwardlyoriented treating cage 5 formed, in this example, from a plurality ofelongated treating spindles 6 maintained axially parallel andcircumferentially spaced, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. The spindles 6are rotatably mounted at opposite ends thereof, respectively, on upperand lower radial bearing mounts 7 and 8 which extend inwardly toward thecage axis 9. The treating cage 5, through the lower bearing mount 8, isrotatably supported by bearings 10 and 11 contained in a bearing housing12 secured on a mounting plate 13 forming a portion of a drive assemblysupport 14. The cage upper bearing mount 7 is rotatably supported byappropriate bearing structure 15, FIG. 8.

A lead screw or auger 20, in the example of FIG. 2, is containedcoaxially within the treating cage 5 and comprises flights 21 whichpresent a smooth, continuous, helical, metallic upper surface, however,this surface may be softened by a layer of an appropriate resilientmaterial with or without abrasive characteristics (not shown). Theflights 21 extend into contact, or just short of contact, with thetreating spindles 6 and preferably slope radially outwardly anddownwardly so that items thereon gravitate toward contact with saidspindles.

The flights 21 are secured to a central axle or shaft 22 which, at theupper end 23 thereof, is rotatably mounted with respect to the cageupper bearing mount 7, FIG. 8. The lower end 24 of the shaft 22terminates in a coupling driving key slot 25 and bears upon the collarof a sleeve bearing 26 on which the downward weight of the auger issupported while permitting rotation thereof, FIG. 9. The sleeve bearing26 is received in a structural mounting assembly 27 which forms part ofthe treating cage lower bearing mount 8. The lower bearing mount 8 alsoincludes a support plate 28 which is secured to a relatively large,hollow cage drive shaft 29 which extends downwardly through the bearinghousing 12.

Contained within the cage drive shaft 29, and also within the bearinghousing 12, is a hollow spindle drive shaft 30 supported on an upperbearing 31, received in the cage drive shaft 29, and engaging a lowerbearing 32 also secured in the cage drive shaft 29. Contained coaxiallywithin the spindle drive shaft 30 is an auger drive shaft 33 which isrotatably retained at the upper end 34 thereof by telescopic receiptinto the sleeve bearing 26 and, at a lower portion 35 by resting on andextending through a bearing 36 secured with respect to the lower end 37of the spindle drive shaft 30. The auger drive shaft 33 extendsdownwardly beyond the bearing 36 and has secured thereto an auger drivepulley or sprocket 38 and the rotating portion of a speed sensor signalgenerator 39. The upper end 34 of the auger drive shaft 33 terminates ina key projection 40 which is received in the key slot 25, whereby theauger 20 may be independently rotatably driven from the drive pulley orsprocket 38.

The spindle drive shaft 30 has the rotating portion of a speed sensorsignal generator 45 fixed thereto above the auger drive pulley 38.Spaced above the generator portion 45 and also secured to the spindledrive shaft 30 is a spindle drive pulley or sprocket 46. Over thespindle drive pulley 46, in this example, is a cage drive pulley orsprocket 47 which is fixed to the lower portion of the cage drive shaft29, the shaft 29 also supporting the rotating portion of a cage speedsignal generator 48. Progressing upwardly along the coaxially shafts 29,30 and 33, past the bearing housing 12 and beyond the cage support plate28, is a drive pulley or sprocket 49 secured to the spindle drive shaft30, whereby rotation of the spindle drive pulley 46 is reflected inrotation of the pulley 49.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the drive assembly support 14 has threehydraulic motors mounted thereto designated 50, 51 and 52, said motorsrespectively having timing belt 53 engaged with the cage drive pulley47, timing belt 54 engaged with the spindle drive pulley 46 and timingbelt 55 engaged with the auger drive pulley 38. The drive pulley 49 onthe upper portion of the spindle drive shaft 30 engages a timing belt 56which, in turn, is threaded in serpentine fashion about the cage lowerbearing mount 8, engaging drive sprockets 57 which drive respectivepairs of gears 58 secured to the lower ends of the treating spindles 6,FIGS. 2, 6 and 11. Suitable idlers 59 guide the timing belt 56 throughthe proper path for simultaneous engagment with each of the drivesprockets 57.

Thus, by separately controlling the output of hydraulic drive motors 50,51 and 52, the cage 5, treating spindles 6 and auger 20 may be rotatedabout their own axes independently at desired relative speeds anddirections with respect to each other. The hydraulic pumps and relatedfluid transmission tubing connected to the hydraulic motors 50, 51 and52 are conventional and not shown in order to more clearly illustratethe features of this invention.

The housing 3, in this example, is cylindrical in shape and has hingedaccess doors 65 and 66 mounted on the curved side wall thereof, FIGS. 1and 4, to provide convenient access to the treating spindles 6. Uponremoval of one or more of the spindles 6, the auger 20 and adjacentinternal structures are exposed for inspection and service.

Resilient flaps or wipers 67 are suitably mounted on the treating cage 5and function to keep the interior surface 68 of the housing 3 clear ofdebris. In the example of FIG. 2, the chamber 4, defined by the housing3, is divided into an upper portion 69 and a lower portion 70 by anannular ledge 71 secured to the housing interior surface 68. Likewise,the treating cage 5 carries a ring divider 72 which cooperates with theledge 71 for the same purpose, FIG. 2.

A feed chute 75 is supported by the frame 2 and projects downwardlythrough the upper wall 76 of the housing 3. The chute 75 has astationary upper portion 77 in the shape of a spiral funnel taperedinwardly as it moves downwardly, and a lower rotary accelerator portion78 which is secured to and rotates with the treating cage upper bearingmount 7. The feed chute lower portion 78 has downwardly and outwardlysloping conical caps 79 and 80 which further serves to deflect incomingproduce radially outwardly against the treating spindles 6 within thecage 5, as is detailed more fully below.

An appropriate conveyor 81 is positioned over the feed chute 75 so as todischarge produce thereinto for treatment.

The bottom flight of the auger 20 has a resilient wiper flap 82associated therewith which helps guide the treated produce leaving theauger into a rotating exit chamber 83, partially formed with a conicalwall 84 which tends to urge the produce radially outwardly within thechamber 83. This urging, in addition the dynamic centrifugal force stillacting upon the produce, causes movement toward the periphery of theexit chamber 83 where the produce strikes a stationary deflector 85.This guides the produce through an opening 86 in the side wall of thehousing 3, and onto an appropriate conveyor 87 by which the treatedproduce is carried to another station for further operation thereon.

The peelings and debris which pass between the spindles 6 to theradially outer part of the chamber lower portion 70 are maintained inmotion by the lower flaps or wipers 67 and find their way through anopening 88 in the housing 3 where they slide down a ramp 89 onto an exitconveyor 90 for travel to an appropriate processing station. The lightparticles removed from the produce and ejected to the exterior of thetreating cage within the chamber 4 are preferably withdrawn by airsuction through an exit duct 91 (FIG. 3) which also communicates throughthe side wall of the housing 3. In the example shown in FIG. 2 where thechamber 4 is divided into upper and lower portions 69 and 70, the duct91 may also be divided into an upper portion 92 and lower portion 93 tosegregate the initially removed debris, which is more likely to becomposed of waste material such as soil, and the later removed materialwhich is more likely to be salvageable into animal feed or otherprotein-rich products, FIG. 37. If such segregation is not desired, theentire duct 91 may be fed into the single exit 94, FIG. 36. Appropriatesuction fans with collecting hoppers (not shown) are utilized to createthe air flow through the chamber 4 and retain the withdrawn material.

As noted above, the weight of the cage 5 is supported by bearingstructure within the housing 12, which is supported by the driveassembly support 14. In servicing the drive assembly, it is notnecessary to first disassemble the cage and associated structure.Hangers 100 are suspended from the frame 2 and normally elevated to apoint where they do not interfere with the rotation of the cage.However, when it is desired to remove the drive assembly support 14 andstructure mounted thereon, the hangers 100 are lowered and engaged withsuspension ears 101 on the cage upper bearing mount 7, whereby the cagemay be suspended within the housing 3 while the drive assembly support14 and associated structure is withdrawn downwardly for easy accessthereto. In withdrawing the drive assembly support downwardly, thetelescopic connection between the projection on the auger drive shaft 33and key slot 25 on the lower end of the central axle 22 separates andmay be later reengaged merely by alignment and axial reinsertion. Afterreplacing the drive assembly, the hangers 100 are disconnected from theupper bearing mount 7 and raised to a non-interferring position, FIG. 2,until again needed.

One of the significant advantages of the described apparatus and methodis an ability to normally function in absence of flushing liquid.However, occasionally it may be desirable to introduce liquids into thechamber 4 for cleaning and/or, sterilization of the apparatus, or underspecial conditions, such as the need for product preservation and/orsurface treatment. For this purpose the central axle or shaft 22supporting the auger 20 is hollow and has a series of selectively usablespray nozzles 102 spaced therealong. The hollow interior of the axle 22communicates through a rotary seal 103 with the stationary bearingstructure 15, which has a hollow interior 104 opening into anappropriate hose connection 105, FIG. 8.

In the example of FIG. 2, the treating spindles 6 are in the form of"straight" brushes which present a cylindrical abrasive surface 110along the length of the spindle. The resiliency, diameter and length ofthe individual bristles 111 may vary considerably, however, operablebristles made of "6-12" Nylon (Du Pont Company, Wilmington, Del.)between 0.014 and 0.018 inches in diameter and about 11/4 inches inlength appear to be satisfactory for removing the dirt and skin fromseveral types of common potatoes. Substantial variations in bristlecharacteristics, patterns and shapes may be utilized to increaseefficacy for particular operations. Selected examples of such variationsare discussed below.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is arranged so that the respectivetreating spindles 6 co-rotate, that is, adjacent spindles rotate in thesame direction, at the same or different speeds. Referring to theexample of FIG. 11, this is accomplished by driving sprockets 57 whichare associated with gear teeth meshing with gears 58 (which may bedifferent diameters) secured to the treating spindles 6. The elongatedalveolus, cavity or pocket 112 (FIG. 12) formed between adjacentspindles 6 may receive produce therein whereupon the bristles, due tosuch co-rotation, induce spinning of the produce about a generallyvertical axis while the brushing takes place. The periphery 113 of theauger flight 21 is positioned in contact or closely adjacent thetreating spindles 6 whereby it may touch or terminate near the abrasivesurface 110 formed by the bristles 111.

In operation, the cage 5, which has an upwardly directed axis 9, isrotated at a speed sufficient, at the interior radius thereof (that is,approximately at the elongated cavities 112) to maintain produce incontinuous, centrifugal force contact against the abrasive materialremoving surface 110, but insufficient to prevent downward movement ofthe produce within the cage under the force of gravity .

Produce, in this example unpeeled, untreated raw and dirty potatoes 120,are introduced by means of the conveyor 81 into the feed chute 75whereby they are directed downwardly into the chamber 4. The producecontacts the conical caps 79 and 80 by which they are deflected againstthe interior treating spindle surfaces 110, while being rotatablyaccelerated by the accelerator portion 78, FIG. 3. Some of the producemay not immediately reach the abrasive surfaces 110 because ofinterference with other produce in the area, whereupon they willusually, instead, contact an inner portion of the uppermost flight ofthe auger 20. The produce will then tend to roll outwardly and seekcontact with an available open treating area of the abrasive surfaces110.

Since the inwardly directed portion of the spindle surface 110 isirregular due to the elongated cavities 112 formed between the spindles,the potatoes are quickly engaged and accelerated into a circular path ofrotation approximately equal to the circular rotational path and speeddescribed by the inwardly facing portions of the surfaces 110. This pathand speed is sufficient to maintain the produce in continuouscentrifugal force contact against the surfaces 110, but insufficient toprevent downward movement of the produce within the cage under the forceof gravity. Thus, without the auger 20, the produce 120 would slide ormigrate downwardly at less than free fall (because of the resistanceproduced by centrifugal force pressure against the abrasive surface 110)but at a greater speed than is desired for optimum time exposure to thetreating spindles.

If the auger 20 were rotated at the same speed as the treating cage(zero speed differential) there would be little opportunity for theproduce to move downwardly through the treating cage, except forprecession, assuming that the auger lead, spindle and cage rotationdirections are compatible. However, a slight change from zero in therelative speed therebetween will cause the auger to "screw" with respectto the cage, whereby the auger flight position continually moves axiallyalong any selected spindle cavity 112. For example, rotating thetreating cage 130 rpm counter-clockwise, with a cage having an effectivediameter of 30 inches, to obtain a centrifugal force of about seven g.,and the auger, with a four flight, right hand lead, 146 rpmcounter-clockwise, (assuming no precession) a differential rotationalspeed of 16 rpm counter-clockwise is created in a direction which causesthe auger flights to apparently screw or displace downwardly at a ratewhereby the produce will have a cage residence time of about 15 seconds.Of course, if there is precession caused by cage spindle rotation, anappropriate adjustment in the differential rotational speed between thecage and auger must be made to obtain the desired residence time.

Thus, the flights 21 form an elongated spiral supporting surface whichresists the gravitationally induced downward or axial travel of theproduce through the cage by contact between the upper surface 121 andthe lower portion of the produce, thereby increasing the cage residencetime to that permitted by the controlled relative difference inrotational speed between the auger 20 and the treating cage 5. Throughsuch relative rotation, the point of contact 122, FIG. 2, between theproduce and the auger surface 121, which continually changes due to therelative motion between the auger and the produce, is displaceddownwardly under controlled conditions, thereby accurately determiningthe descent time of the produce through the cage. This occurs while theproduce is maintained against the abrasive surface 110 with a pressureaccurately maintained by centrifugal force through controlling therotational speed of the cage 5. Additionally, modifications in cleaningand/or peeling conditions in the cage may be produced easily byindependently varying the speed of rotation of the individual spindlesthrough the hydraulic motor 51 which, through the spindle pulleys 46, 49and spindle drive shaft 30, control the rotational speed of the spindlesindependently of cage and auger rotation.

When the apparatus is in operation under a full load, certain producepieces being treated will necessarily rest upon other produce piecesrather than directly upon the upper flight surface 121. However, thedescent of such stacked produce will still be governed by the effectivedownward displacement of the flight contact point which, will be throughthe produce located between the flight and the produce stackedthereabove. For most efficient operation, the apparatus will normallynot be loaded beyond the point where each produce piece in the treatingcage 5 can easily find an exposed area of abrasive surface 110 to bearagainst. Once the produce piece has found its position against theabrasive surface, whether or not it directly contacts the flight surface121, and notwithstanding some processing or jumping between cavities112, the conditions are not created where there is considerable tumblingof the produce, one over the other, which is a common feature of theprior art.

As the produce is abraded (brushed), particles 123 removed therefrombecome independently subjected to the centrifugal force within the cage5 and rapidly find their way between adjacent treating spindles 6 to theexterior of the cage. However, the particles are contained within theinterior of the housing 3, from which they are withdrawn either by airsuction through the exit duct 91 or discharged through the opening 88onto the exit conveyor 90, for processing.

The respective speed sensor signal generators 39, 45 and 48 areconnected to appropriate meter displays (not shown) whereby operatingparameters may be continually monitored. The cleaned and/or peeledproduce 124 drop off the lowermost turn of the flight from which theyfall into the exit chamber 83, aided if necessary by the wiper flap 82,and strike the stationary deflector 85 whereupon they are urged throughthe opening 86 onto the conveyor 87 for transfer to further processingor packaging apparatus.

Many variations may be provided in the basic apparatus and method forproducing changes in cleaning and peeling conditions to better suitspecific species and types of produce.

One variation relates to treating spindle shape and is illustrated byFIGS. 13, 14a and 14b, wherein modified brush treating spindles 130 areformed into a spiral or screw configuration of the same hand andintermesh, so that the adjacent peaks and valleys of the screw flightsproject into each other. This allows formation of an unperforatedtreating cage wall, except for slight lateral clearance to avoidexcessive interference between adjacent spindles. In co-rotating therespective spindles, that is, rotating all about their own axes in thesame direction, there is a downward ridge or flight displacement overthe entire inner surface of the cage. By substituting for a centralscrew member, such as the auger 20, a "straight" brush 131, the produce132 will be urged against the interior cage surface 133 and maintainedthereagainst under the centrifugal force produced by accelerating theproduce 132 to cage rotational speed.

The produce 132 will tend to find a pocket 134 between screw projectionsor flights on a spindle 130 and further tend to locate in the cavity 134formed between adjacent meshed spindles 130. The produce, thus, will besimultaneously acted upon by the abrasive surface of adjacent spindles130 as well as the abrasive surface presented by the central brush 131which rotates relative to the cage. The produce is restrained againstgravity induced downward motion within the cage by the lower flight orflights 135 of the pocket 134 within which the produce is cradled ornested, FIG. 14b. The rotation of the spindles 130 will, in this case,determine the downward displacement of the produce 134 within the cage,thus controlling the cage residence time while the produce is beingtreated.

A variation of the modification shown in FIGS. 13, 14a and 14b isillustrated in FIG. 14c and utilizes spaced-apart treating spindles witha screw spindle therebetween. The screw spindle has a thin screw flight136 engaged with the treating spindles with bristles of treatingspindles reaching into the space 137 between the flights to engageproduce 138 received therein. The treating spindles can be rotatedindependently of the screw spindles for controlling the produce cageresidence time. This variation may be used with or without a centralbrush such as brush 131 (FIGS. 13 and 14a), as desired.

Another modified form of this invention is illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16and 23 wherein the cage treating spindles 144 are similar to thosedescribed in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 2, however, thecenter gravity drop resisting member takes the form of a brush auger145, instead of the plain flight auger 20 of FIG. 2. In the embodimentof FIGS. 15, 16 and 23, the bristles project generally radially from acenter rotating support 146 in a spiral pattern, producing an upperflight surface 147 which functions not only to contact the produce 148for controlling the descent thereof through the treating cage, but alsoto provide additional brushing or abrading. It is noted that the flightsurface 146 is formed into a left hand spiral which is opposite to thatof the FIG. 2 auger. Relative rotational directions will, therefore,also be opposite for similar function.

FIGS. 17 and 18 display a further modified form of this invention whichis somewhat similar to that of FIGS. 15 and 16, however, the centralbrush auger 152 has the upper flight surface 153 sloping downwardly asit extends outwardly, providing a wedge pocket 154 between the surface153 and the cylindrical surface brush treating spindles 155. The produce156 normally becomes wedged in the pocket 154, thereby being morecompletely exposed to relatively moving abrading surfaces during travelthrough the treating cage. The brush auger 152 functions in the samemanner as described in connection with the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 16by providing supporting contact against the lower portion of the produceto control the descent of the produce downwardly, the removed materialbeing separated by centrifugal force as in the above describedstructures.

A further modification of this invention is shown in the structure ofFIGS. 19a, 19b, 19c and 20. Adjacent treating spindles 162 and 163 arespiraled in opposite directions (hand), but rotate in the samedirection, whereby spindle 162 screws upwardly and spindle 163 screwsdownwardly. The auger flight 164 functions as in previously describedembodiments. This structure is particularly suitable for produce 165,FIG. 19b, of elongated configuration such as Russett potatoes whichoften resume a cucumber-like shape. Such produce sometimes has atendency to lie flat on the auger flight 164 whereupon it will not besubjected to the more complete abrading surface contact and rotatingaction which it would receive if nested in the elongated cavity orpocket 166 formed between the spindles 162 and 163.

When the centrifugal force urges the produce 165 against the spindles162 and 163, the flight on the spindle 163 tends to not only abrade orbrush the produce in the direction of spindle rotation, but also urge aportion of the produce downwardly against the auger flight 164. Theadjacent spindle 162, however, tends to urge the produce upwardly awayfrom the auger flight 164, the net result being that the produce willquickly be upended and received in a pocket 166 with its axis generallyparallel to the axis of the spindles, as shown at 167, FIGS. 19a and19c. The produce will tend to stay in this position during residencetime in the cage, with the respective spindles 162 and 163 makingabrading passes while the produce is turned on its axis and controlledin descent speed by the lowering of the support provided by the augerflight 164.

FIGS. 21a and 22 are directed to a modification of the structure ofFIGS. 19a and 20, varying therefrom in that adjacent spindles 172 and173 are spiral with the same hand but rotated in opposite directions toproduce a similar produce lifting and turning effect. However, sinceevery other set of adjacent spindles will be rotating with respect toeach other in an opposite direction, the spindle cavities 174 betweensuch counter rotating spindles will tend to suck in the produce 175,causing damage thereto or, under some circumstances, ejection throughthe cage wall into the outer portion of the apparatus housing chamber.To prevent this, a retaining bumper or rod 176 is placed between thecounter rotating spindles 172 and 173 in a position which will maintainthe produce 175 in efficient abrading relationship with the spindlebrushes, but prevent the produce from penetrating the cavity 174 to anextent where it is mechanically caught and damaged, or ejected to theexterior of the cage.

For improved efficiency, it may be desirable to permit the rod 176 tofreely rotate so as not to inhibit the rotation of the produce 175 inthe pocket. Under other conditions, it may be advantageous to drive therod 176 about its axis. The auger flight 177, in this case is formed ofelongated brush bristles and functions as described in connection withFIGS. 15, 16 and 23.

As with the other forms described herein, since there are complex forceproducing, multiple contacts against the produce, they may not staywithin the same spindle cavity during the entire residence time but,rather, tend to jump and move from cavity to cavity while they rotateend-to-end and along their own axes, the result being an even cleaningand/or abrading treatment over the entire produce surface.

Referring to FIG. 24a, another modification of the center residence timecontrolling member, or auger, is identified by the reference numeral182. The auger 182 is similar to the auger 20 described above inconnection with FIG. 2 but the spiral flights 183 thereof have spacedvertical drops or steps 184 thereon to promote agitation and turning ofthe produce as they are allowed to move downwardly under the force ofgravity within the treating cage 185.

FIG. 24b shows an auger 186 somewhat similar to the auger of FIG. 24a,but further modified in that the spirally sloping flight portions areeliminated and the entire flight is made up of generally horizontalsteps 187 and vertical steps 188 which "rachet" downwardly in a spiralpattern. As above, the function of the auger 186 is to resist thegravitationally induced downward travel of the produce through the cage,however, with the step structures disclosed, there is a tendency to alsogently promote the turning and rotation of the produce about severalaxes, so as to better insure even, whole surface treatment, withoutharsh tumbling.

The bristle configuration chosen for the abrading brushes can have aprofound effect upon the type of surface treatment applied to theproduce within the cage. FIGS. 25-31 show various utilitarian bristlepatterns and shapes. FIG. 25 demonstrates the use of radially projectinguniform diameter bristles of varying radial length, which promotespoking with abrasion. FIG. 26 demonstrates bristles of varying diameter,and therefore varying resilency, but of equal radial length. FIG. 27shows bristles 196 having the free ends bent into a short foot 197 toaid entrance into produce surface cavities for digging and prying outdirt particles and the like. FIG. 28 shows a combination of thestructures of FIG. 25 and FIG. 27 wherein the bristles 198 are of bothvarying length and have the free ends bent to a foot portion. FIG. 29combines the structures of FIGS. 26 and 27 whereby the bristles 199 areof different thickness, and therefore of different resilency, and yethave the free ends bent into foot portions. FIG. 30 combines thefeatures of FIGS. 25, 26 and 27 whereupon the bristles 200 assumevariations in radial length and diameter, while selected bristles havethe free ends bent into foot portions. FIG. 31 demonstrates anothervariation which combines the features of FIGS. 25 and 26, but modifiedin that the bristles 201 do project at angles from the radial.

FIG. 32 shows a bristle 205 having a hammer-shaped free tip 206 thereonfor less "poking" but a greater scraping action. FIG. 33 illustrates abristle 207 having a barb shaped tip 208 thereon which is efficient inpartially digging into the produce surface and hooking a particle ofdebris for withdrawal. FIG. 34 demonstrates a bristle 209 of crinkly orzig-zag configuration which continuously presents an angled terminationregardless of wear.

FIG. 35 somewhat schematically illustrates bristles 211 abrading thesurface 212 of a produce piece 213. In this example the bristles 211terminate in feet 214 which flake off particles 215 of the produceepidermis, and also dig out and dislodge dirt particles 216 embedded inthe surface under treatment. This is accomplished while the produce 213is urged radially outwardly of the cage axis under centrifugal force, inthe direction indicated by the arrow 217.

In the embodiments described above in connection with FIGS. 19a, 19b,19c and 21a, all the treating spindles are spiraled. A useful variationof this concept is shown in FIGS. 19d and 19e wherein a spiral or screwbrush spindle 222 is coupled with one or more straight or cylindricalbrush spindles 223, the respective spindles being rotated in the samedirection and the spindle 222 having a spiral hand such that it "screws"upwardly. With this configuration, elongated produce, which sometimesrests flat on the auger flight 225, tends to have one end 226 urged in avertical direction. The end 226 is thereby raised with respect to theauger flight 225, whereupon the produce 224 is more likely to drop intothe cavity 227, where it is exposed more fully to the treating surfaceas above described.

Counter-rotating spiral or screw spindles in combination with cavityretaining rods were described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS.21a and 22. Such retaining rods may also be utilized to advantage inconnection with "straight" spindles of the type utilized in the exampleof FIG. 2. FIGS. 21b and 21c show straight, adjacent brush spindles 231and 232 counterrotating whereby cavities of two types are formed, thefirst cavity 233 brushing inwardly toward the axis of the cage, andsecond cavity 234 brushing outwardly and tending to catch or swallow anddamage produce 235 unless a bumper or rod 236 is supplied. As inconnection with the embodiment of FIGS. 21a and 22, the rod 236 may befixed, free to rotate on its axis, or driven to help promote therotation of produce in the cavity 234. Produce 237 in the inwardlybrushing cavity 233 is also subject to the desired abrasion but isnormally less stable since the produce is urged radially inwardlyagainst the centrifugal force of the spinning cage. Thus, a portion ofthe produce pieces within the cage are always in a relatively unstablestate, thereby promoting complex movement thereof with attendant fullsurface treatment.

Also desirable in connection with cavity retaining rods is the abilityto adjust same radially of the cage so as to retain the produce deeperor shallower in the spindle cavity, as needed. Such an adjustment isillustrated in FIG. 21c where typical alternate positions of the rod 236are shown by broken and solid lines.

Although various specific forms of brush spindles have been referred toabove, this invention is not to be limited thereto. For example,treating surfaces other than brushes could be better suited forparticular functions. High rate surface removal may call for abrasiveparticles embedded in a soft matrix (not shown). Also, it may bedesirable to change the characteristics of the spindle treating surfacealong the axial length thereof, that is, the possibility of the upperportion of the spindle carrying soft rubber fingers, the central portionstiff bristles and the lower portion soft, polishing bristles (all notshown). Still another example is illustrated in FIG. 38 which utilizesfor the treating spindle 240 a soft, resilient cylinder 241 over whichis sleeved and secured, meshed or loop interlocked flat, hard, non-roundwire or ribbon 242, such as synthetic resin or stainless steel. Theribbon 242 will rapidly cut and clean the surface of produce whileeasily releasing the debris.

Still further, it is contemplated that combining varying relative speedsand/or diameters of adjacent spindles, especially in conjunction withvariations in treating surface characteristics, will produce a greatselection of operating parameters from which to choose.

Therefore, it is to be understood that although certain specificexamples of this invention have been illustrated and described, a largenumber of other variations and permutations are possible and will occurto those skilled in the art from a reading of this specification.

It is to be further understood that this invention is not to be limitedexcept as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:
 1. Apparatusfor removing material from the surface of produce and separating theremoved material from the resultant mixture of produce and removedmaterial, comprising:(a) a housing forming a treating chamber and havingan entrance and an exit for produce to be treated; (b) an upwardlydirected cage rotatably mounted in said housing and formed of elongatedrotating spindles with a material removing surface thereon, (c) meansrotating said cage in said housing at a rotary speed sufficient, at theinterior radius of said cage, to maintain produce in a circular path ofrotation and in continuous centrifugal force contact against saidmaterial removing surface but insufficient to prevent downward movementof produce within said cage under the force of gravity, (d) meansassociated with said housing for urging produce, from which material isto be removed, through said entrance and into said cage and intoengagement with said spindles so that said produce is acceleratedsubstantially to said rotary speed within said cage and said producetravels substantially at said rotary speed in contact with said materialremoving surface, (e) a residence control member located at leastpartially within said cage and having a produce travel resisting uppersurface thereon located near said interior radius and resisting saiddownward gravitational movement, thereby increasing the cage residencetime of said produce, (f) means moving said residence control memberrelative to said cage so as to functionally lower the position of saidtravel resisting surface, thereby permitting the lowering of saidproduce under the force of gravity and controlling the residence time ofsaid produce in said cage, and (g) means associated with said housingfor directing treated produce through said exit.
 2. The apparatus as setforth in claim 1 wherein:(a) said spindle material removing surface oncertain of said spindles is formed of brush bristles.
 3. The apparatusas set forth in claim 2 wherein:(a) said bristles are of varying length.4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein:(a) certain of saidbristles are footed at the free ends thereof.
 5. The apparatus as setforth in claim 2 wherein:(a) said bristles are of varying diameter. 6.The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein:(a) certain of saidbristles extend from said spindles at an angle from the radial.
 7. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein:(a) certain of said bristlesare enlarged at the free ends thereof.
 8. The apparatus as set forth inclaim 2 wherein:(a) certain of said bristles are of crinklyconfiguration.
 9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein:(a) saidspindle material removing surface on certain of said spindles iscylindrical.
 10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein:(a) saidspindle material removing surface on certain of said spindles is spiralin shape about the axis of the spindle.
 11. The apparatus as set forthin claim 10 wherein:(a) a pair of spindles having said spiral materialremoving surface are positioned adjacent each other with the respectivespiral surfaces intermeshing.
 12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11including:(a) a cylindrical brush centrally mounted in said cage andhaving bristles extending substantially to said spindles.
 13. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein:(a) said spindle materialremoving surface on certain of said spindles is formed of interlockedmaterial having a cutting edge.
 14. The apparatus as set forth in claim1 wherein:(a) certain of said spindles have a material removing surfacewhich is different in shape from adjacent spindles.
 15. The apparatus asset forth in claim 1 wherein:(a) said residence control member is anauger positioned in said cage.
 16. The apparatus as set forth in claim15 wherein:(a) said auger comprises a smooth upper surface.
 17. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein:(a) said auger comprisesbrush flights.
 18. The apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein:(a)said brush flights slope downwardly and outwardly.
 19. The apparatus asset forth in claim 15 wherein:(a) said auger includes a hollow axleadapted for the introduction of liquids into said housing.
 20. Theapparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein:(a) said auger comprisesflights having steps therein.
 21. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1including:(a) prime mover means independently driving said cage sandsaid spindles and said residence control member.
 22. The apparatus asset forth in claim 1 including:(a) means driving said spindles in thesame rotary direction.
 23. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22wherein:(a) certain of said spindles are spiral in shape with adjacentspiral spindles being of opposite hand.
 24. The apparatus as set forthin claim 1 including:(a) means driving certain of said spindles in arotary direction opposite to the rotary direction of other of saidspindles.
 25. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24 wherein:(a)adjacent spindles are spiral in shape and of the same hand and rotate inthe opposite direction.
 26. The apparatus as set forth in claim 24wherein:(a) adjacent spindles rotate in opposite directions forming acavity therebetween moving outwardly of said cage, and including (b) abumper bar in said cavity and positioned for limiting the depth producemay enter said cavity.
 27. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1wherein:(a) certain of said spindles are brushes and (b) an augerspindle is located between a pair of said spindle brushes and comprisessaid residence control member.
 28. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1wherein:(a) said residence control member and said spindles are the sameelement.
 29. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including:(a) ductmeans associated with said housing for withdrawing debris by air flow.30. In a centrifugal produce processing apparatus:(a) an upwardlydirected cage comprising circumferentially spaced, rotating treatingspindles, frame means mounting said cage for rotation about an upwardlydirected cage axis, drive means associated with said cage and rotatingsaid cage at a speed sufficient, at the interior radius thereof, tomaintain produce in a circular path of rotation and in continuouscentrifugal force contact against said spindles but insufficient toprevent downward movement of produce within said cage under the force ofgravity, (b) a residence control member located at least partiallywithin said cage and having a produce travel resisting upper surfacepositioned near said interior radius for contacting produce andresisting said downward gravitational movement of produce within saidcage, and (c) means moving said residence control member relative tosaid frame means so as to functionally lower the position of said travelresisting surface along said spindles, thereby permitting the loweringof produce under the force of gravity along said spindles andcontrolling the residence time of produce in said cage.